THAT BAND EPISODE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1989, 20 February 1914, Page 8

THAT BAND EPISODE.

OFFENDERB NAMED. WELLINGTON CITY AND WANGANUI GARRISON. AN INDIGNANT LETTER (Bv Tel«Brai)h.-Pr«a Ajioetatloi.)' Auckland, February 19. ; , Two bands have been identified, in an official report, with the disturbance which was inado at the conclusion of the A Grade quick-step competition in the Domain on Saturday afternoon. The Wanganui Garrison Band'is named as one of the offenders, and the other is the AVollingtpn City Band. •The matter was discussed at'a meeting to-day of the Contest Committee, with the result that instructions were given to tho secretary (Mr. J. It. Williamson) to communicate the facts of the incident to the. North. Island Brass Bands Association.

In a letter which he addressed to the secretary of the association, Mr. Wil-liamson-describes the manner in which the bands had been arranged for a-per-formance of the march' "Imperator" under the baton of tho adjudicator (Captain W. G. Bentley). When tlio signal to commence the performance had been given, the two bands on-the left of the conductor, instead of playing the march music, saw fit to make noises with their instruments, ■ and to play music other than the set piece. Captain Bentloy's appeal to these bandsmen to desist was without avail, with the, result that the performance 'had to ' he stopped. Upon Captain Bentley resuming his position the members of these two bands went through the' performance which is known as "counting out" the judge. When order was eventually restored the march was gone on with, and with the 'exception of perhaps three or four members of the two bands, the latter took no part in the performance. The offending bands were the Wanganui Garrison and the Wellington City Bands. '• /. ' ■.'-.'

"This degrading. and contemptible exhibition," says the -writer, j "is greatly resented by the Contest Committee and also by the largo audience which was present on the stand and adjacent to the spot. It is only fair to state that the drum-major, of the Wahganui Garrison Band did offer an apology to one.of the Contest Committee. My committee believes that, personally, he had nothing whatever to do with the dissraceful proceedings. However, you will quite understand that an npology of this nature is' quite inadequate, and my committee trusts .that the conduct of the bands in question will be thoroughly gone into, and punishment commensurate with . the offence meted out to'tho offenders.".